My Dear Shepherds,

I met a young guy at the coffee shop who was studying the Bible with a friend. He told me he’s heading off to Bible college to pursue pastoral studies. I wanted to pull him from his chair, give him a big fatherly hug, and say how glad we’d be to have him.

I returned to my table where I’d been thinking on the first verses of Joshua, apropos for my young friend and for us old veterans. We usually frame our pastoral calling in New Testament terms, but the promises given to Joshua, enlarged by Christ, are ours as well.

Now then, you and all these people, get ready to cross the Jordan River into the land I am about to give to them. … I will give you every place where you set your foot. … No one will be able to stand against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you. (Josh. 1:2-5)

Every once in awhile it’s good for us to look up from our daily duties to a great commission like this. The geography of our individual assignments is not as land locked as Joshua’s. Our parish is not defined by rivers, borders, or city blocks. We each homestead among hearts.

God doesn’t promise to give us or our congregation “every place where you set your foot,” but he does promise that our work, done in Jesus’ name and way, will always bear everlasting fruit. He says we are a people who do even greater works than Jesus himself! And he gives us that astonishing glimpse of the vast global multitude soon to be gathered before the Lamb.

I suspect that most pastors who read, “No one will ever be able to stand against you,” ruefully recall some heated board meetings or rebellious factions. We’ve all preached sometimes in the face of stubborn resistance to God’s Word. There are times for shaking the dust off our feet.

Nonetheless, Jesus magnified God’s promise to Joshua when he told Peter, “[O]n this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.” And “… at the name of Jesus every knee should bow … and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”

Pastors cannot persevere unless we believe that what we see today is not all there is. Joshua was given the land from Dan to Beersheba. We look to the ends of the earth.

Then this precious promise: “As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you.” Jesus personally guaranteed, “Surely, I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

It doesn’t always feel that way, does it? But it is never untrue. Even in our loneliest hours we are not alone. It may seem that “darkness is my only companion,” but that will not happen. One verse that we may never claim is, “My God, why have you forsaken me?”

One night long ago I found myself trying to mediate a vicious marriage battle. The wife’s screaming anger wounded my spirit and I tumbled into depression. Eventually, someone encouraged me to recall that night and invite Jesus into that memory. When I did, I found myself angry with the Lord. “Where were you?!” I cried. And in a calm and patient voice, he whispered to me, “I was right beside you all the time.” Always.

Be ye glad!

Lee Eclov recently retired after 40 years of local pastoral ministry and now focuses on ministry among pastors. He writes a weekly devotional for preachers on Preaching Today.